EXTENDED WORKSHOP

Expediting and Sustaining Change: Diffusing innovation in dynamic educational settings

International schools can be defined as dynamic, fast paced, nimble learning environments that are on the forefront of K-12 educational innovation. No where is this more true than in the East Asia region where schools are well resourced and often looking for ways to differentiate themselves in the highly competitive global educational marketplace. All too often though, International schools wanting to remain relevant adopt innovations only to see them lose momentum and evanesce. This session will equip educators, coaches and school administrators with a toolkit for efficiently examining and diffusing innovations within their schools. Based on recent research done in East Asian international schools, recent case studies involving change management, and leading research in the field of innovation diffusion theories and opinion leadership, this workshop aims to not only inform participants but also equip educators, coaches and school administrators with a best practice toolkit for efficiently diffusing innovations within their schools.

This session will aims to answer common questions about innovation including:

What is innovation in education?
How do innovations enter and diffuse within educational settings?
What are some identifiable characteristics of innovation in a school?
What are some identifiable characteristics of an ‘innovative’ educator/individual?
What is the role of school leadership, mid-level leadership (coaches), and teachers’ roles in diffusing innovations?
What are some actionable steps toward diffusing innovations in dynamic organizational settings?
How can we expedite the time to adoption and institutionalization of innovations?

About the Presenters

Jeff Dungan currently serves as an Instructional Technology Coach at Shanghai American School. Jeff has presented internationally throughout Asia and the United States on a variety of instructional technology topics and is an adjunct instructor at Plymouth State University teaching and developing instructional technology courses. Jeff holds a doctorate in instructional technology and distance education from Nova Southeastern University, is an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Google Certified Educator, and a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert. Jeff’s research interests include opinion leadership and its effect on innovation diffusion in K-12 international schools and decreasing transactional distance in distance education through the use of augmented and virtual reality. When not sitting in front of a screen Jeff is a wind and water sport enthusiast and an avid runner. Jeff can be found online on twitter @jdungan.

Jessica Hale currently serves as the Director of Learning and Innovation for the establishment of Oasis International School of Kuala Lumpur. For more than 15 years, Jessica has worked with international schools in Asia. Her experience spans from classroom teacher to overseeing whole school innovation and technology implementation. Most recently, Jessica conducted research on characteristics of innovation in K12 International School in Asia. She trains educators and consults with leadership on curriculum design, pedagogy, and technology integration. Jessica holds an earned Doctorate in Global Educational Leadership, is an Apple Distinguished Educator, and a Google for Education Certified Trainer.